BILL REQ. #:  S-1579.1 

Read first time 02/08/2007.   Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.

     AN ACT Relating to requiring mandatory liability insurance for all motor-driven vessels at least thirty feet in length; adding a new section to chapter 79A.60 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the waters, moorage facilities, and recreational fleet of the state would be improved if boaters and motor-driven boats and vessels were covered by liability insurance. In order to protect marina facilities and other boats moored at those facilities, it is important to institute a liability insurance requirement for all owners and pilots of motor-driven boats and vessels over the length of thirty feet.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 79A.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) No person may own or pilot a motor-driven boat or vessel of more than thirty feet in length subject to registration under chapter 88.02 RCW in this state unless the person is insured under a liability policy with limits of at least three hundred thousand dollars, is self- insured in a manner determined by the department of licensing, or is covered by a certificate of deposit in conformance with parameters determined by the department of licensing. Written proof of financial responsibility for a motor-driven boat or vessel must be provided on the request of a law enforcement officer.
     (2) A person who pilots a motor-driven boat or vessel that is required to be registered in another state that requires owners and operators of boats in that state to maintain insurance or financial responsibility shall, when requested by a law enforcement officer, provide evidence of financial responsibility or insurance as required by the laws of the state in which the vessel is registered.
     (3) Failure to produce written proof of financial responsibility for a motor-driven boat or vessel, when asked to do so by a law enforcement officer as specified in this section, creates a presumption that the person does not have vessel insurance.
     (4) Failure to provide written proof of financial responsibility for a motor-driven boat or vessel as required in this section is a marine traffic infraction and is subject to a penalty as prescribed in RCW 79A.60.020.
     (5) The department of licensing shall notify the public of the requirements of this section at the time of new vessel registration and when the department sends a registration renewal notice.